Philhealth 3% Premium Contribution Remains Until Such Time An Amendment On The Law Is Made

15 May 2020 Filipinos

In an online panel discussion under the Rights Corridors a virtual platform, Philhealth officials disclosed that the 3% contribution to PhilHealth will remain and all provisions stipulated are implemented until such time the law is amended in contrary to what OFWs thought that the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement that contribution should be voluntary.

Shirley Domingo, Vice President for Corporate Affairs of PhilHealth said that the circular included partial payment of the contribution within 12 months was divulged to the public and created an outcry among OFWs and that the Congress decided to study further the directive and hopefully amend. The Presidential spokesperson announced that Philippine President ordered to implement voluntary contribution instead, however there has been no further developments or directive from Malacanang about the issue, thus the law remains implemented.
PhilHealth awaits so that new guidelines will be drafted. Chona Yap, Senior Manager OFW Program of PhilHealth added that they are only an implementing agency of the UHC law and that they just computed so that details are clearer or translated in Pesos. “We can only draft the implementing guidelines based on what is in the law and should it be amended, only then can we also change the guidelines but until then the law will be implemented to everyone and not just the OFWs,” commented Yap. She added that amendment of the law can only apply after two years.

Jason Bucton, Filcom Chairperson of UAE claimed that unlike Philippines most workers’ contribution are shouldered by their companies and in case of OFWs they bear the burdens of  paying for the whole amount and that when the law was made it seemed there was not enough representation from the OFWs sectors. Domingo added that the effect of the law differs based on individuals’ work and details have been discussed with several senators, congressmen, OFW agencies and others related agencies prior to the implementation yet again the law needs to be amended so that it can better fit individual workers.

Domingo admitted that it was included in the OEC previously but has not been implemented from 2015 via POEA. Such detail is a part of IRR but has ceased to be applied. She also added that PhilHealth is a social insurance and unlike the others they do not size up or measure on medical needs. PhilHealth benefits is encompassing regardless if they have work or not or whatever financial status they belong. In response to the question that PhilHealth dissemination of information fails to reach the OFWs worldwide thus causing uproar, many have been misinformed or have not been informed correctly. Panel suggested that PhilHealth should deploy officials in each embassy or consulate to answer to the queries. Yap admitted that indeed PhilHealth has not fully functioned overseas for the OFWs due to issues on establishment of its agency in collaboration with other attached organizations and that several invitations to visit countries did not materialize due to the outbreak of the virus.

To end the discussion, Moderator Froilan Malit Jr. Labor Migration Specialist and Managing Director of Rights Corridor recapped the discussion in six topics that include: Struggle to gather reliable information, OFWs representation in the Philippines imposes huge gap from OFWs on sites, Philippine President has not communicated with PhilHealth as to the verity of his statement, reimbursements are real and existent and appeal from PhilHelath addressed to OFWs not to lose confidence on the law as it is one of the best legislation made and implemented.

Rights Corridor is an online platform for researchers, policymakers, and frontliners to discuss migration issues affect OFWs/migrants.

 

SOURCE : THETIMES

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